How do dog groomers get rid of tear stains?

The dog's bright and lively eyes are like clear lakes, which should originally shine with the light of joy and curiosity. However, when tear stains quietly appear on their faces, the originally lovely appearance is inevitably shadowed. As a pet groomer, helping dogs get rid of tear stains and restoring their pure faces is not only a responsibility but also a deep love for dogs. So, how exactly do pet groomers deal with the problem of tear stains in dogs?

The formation of tear stains is often the result of the combined action of multiple factors. Eye infections are one of the common causes. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections of the eyes can lead to an increase in eye secretions. These secretions accumulate at the corners of the eyes, and over time, tear stains are formed. For example, some small dog breeds, due to their large and protruding eyes, are more susceptible to external pathogens, which can trigger eye infections and exacerbate the problem of tear stains. In terms of diet, if the dog consumes food with a high salt content or is allergic to certain foods, it may also lead to abnormal tear secretion and the formation of tear stains. In addition, nasal tear duct blockage is also a factor that cannot be ignored. The nasal tear duct is responsible for draining the tears produced by the eyes into the nasal cavity. If the nasal tear duct is blocked, the tears cannot be discharged normally and will overflow from the eye sockets, leaving marks on the face.

For pet groomers, the first step in dealing with tear stains is careful observation and analysis. They will approach the dog, gently part the hair around the eyes, and check the severity and color of the tear stains as well as the condition of the eyes. If the tear stains are light in color and there are no obvious symptoms such as redness, swelling, or excessive secretions in the eyes, it may be just a mild tear stain problem that can be improved through daily cleaning and care. However, if the tear stains are dark in color and the eyes are accompanied by redness, swelling, and a large amount of eye discharge, it requires great attention. There may be an eye infection, and at this time, the groomer will advise the owner to take the dog to see a veterinarian to solve the eye health problem first.

In terms of daily cleaning and care, pet groomers have a set of effective methods. First is eye cleaning. They will use special pet eye cleaning wipes or cotton balls, dip them in an appropriate amount of normal saline, and gently wipe the corners and around the eyes of the dog. When wiping, they are extremely careful, for fear of hurting the dog. Wipe gently from the inner corner of the eye outward, and clean up the accumulated secretions little by little. This is like giving the dog's eyes a gentle SPA, helping them get rid of those "little troubles" that affect their appearance and health.

Hair trimming is also a crucial part. If the hair around the dog's eyes is too long, it is likely to irritate the eyes, leading to an increase in tear secretion. It will also absorb dust and secretions, exacerbating the tear stains. The groomer will use sharp and safe pet-specific scissors to carefully trim the hair around the eyes. When trimming, they will communicate softly with the dog to soothe its emotions and make it relax. Each trim is precise and careful. They need to cut off the excessive hair without hurting the dog's eyes. After trimming, the hair is refreshing and tidy, reducing the irritation to the eyes and making the dog's face look cleaner and neater.

In addition to cleaning and trimming, pet groomers will also use some special products to fade the tear stains. There are special cleaning solutions and care products for dog tear stains on the market. These products usually contain mild decontamination ingredients and anti-inflammatory ingredients. The groomer will, according to the product instructions, drop an appropriate amount of the cleaning solution onto a cotton ball and then gently wipe the area of the tear stains. The decontamination ingredients in the cleaning solution can decompose the dirt in the tear stains, and the anti-inflammatory ingredients help reduce the inflammation around the eyes, gradually fading the tear stains. When using these products, the groomer will closely observe the dog's reaction to ensure that the product does not irritate the dog's skin.

For some dogs with more stubborn tear stains, groomers will also adopt the method of dietary supplementation. They will advise the owner to adjust the dog's diet, choose high-quality dog food that is low in salt and easy to digest, and avoid feeding the dog human food, especially food with a high salt content. At the same time, appropriately increase some foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as carrots, apples, and broccoli. These vitamins help maintain the health of the dog's eyes and reduce abnormal tear secretion. It's like injecting a "health energy" into the dog's body to improve the tear stain problem from the inside.

The tear stain problems of different dog breeds also have their own characteristics, and pet groomers will deal with them according to the characteristics of the breeds. For example, for small dog breeds with white fur such as Bichon Frises and Pomeranians, tear stains are particularly obvious on the white fur and affect the appearance. For them, groomers will be more meticulous in cleaning and care. In addition to regular cleaning and trimming, they will also use some whitening products specifically for white fur to help fade the yellow marks left by tear stains and restore the whiteness and luster of the dog's fur. For short-nosed dog breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs, because their nasal tear ducts are short and curved, nasal tear duct blockage is more likely to occur, resulting in more serious tear stain problems. Groomers will pay more attention to daily massage care, gently massaging the area of the dog's nasal tear duct with their fingers to promote the discharge of tears and relieve the blockage of the nasal tear duct.

When dealing with the problem of tear stains in dogs, pet groomers not only need professional skills but also a deep love for dogs. Every time they clean the tear stains for the dog and every time they trim the hair, they are carefully caring for the dog's health and beauty. Watching the dog gradually get rid of the trouble of tear stains under their own efforts and regain its lively and lovely appearance, the groomers are filled with relief.